General Ziethen once fell into a doze at the king’s table. As some one made a motion to rouse him, the king said: “Let him sleep. He has watched long enough that we might rest.” Thoughtfulness for Others During the many wars he was engaged in, Frederick the Great shared not only all the dangers but also all the hardships of the common soldier. Once he marched with his grenadiers till very late at night. At last they halted, and the king said: “Grenadiers, it is a very cold night; we must have a fire!” One was built at once. Frederick wrapped himself in his cloak, sat down on a few pieces of wood near the fire, and the soldiers grouped themselves around him. After a while General Ziethen came, and he also sat down on a little pile of wood. Both were extremely fatigued and soon fell asleep. The king, on opening his eyes, perceived that Ziethen had slipped off his seat and that a grenadier was placing a fagot under his head for a pillow. In a loud voice Frederick said: “Bravo! the old gentleman is very tired!” Soon after, a grenadier got up, half asleep, in order to light his pipe by the fire, and carelessly touched the General’s foot. The king, who was glad to see Ziethen take a little much needed rest, held up his hand and said whisperingly: “Take care, grenadier, not to waken the General; he is very sleepy.” A Double Reward General Seydlitz once reported to Frederick II one of the skirmishes such as happened almost daily during the seven years’ war, and in doing so, praised a Lieutenant, whose conduct and splendid bravery well merited an order. The king had the young officer summoned and said to him pleasantly: “I hear you have been very brave. I will reward you for it. Here are a hundred Friedrichsd’or, and here is the order of merit. You may choose.” Without a moment’s hesitation, the officer took the money. “You don’t seem to have much regard for honor, anyway,” said the king, displeased. “Pardon me, your Majesty,” replied the officer frankly, “I have debts, and honor demands that I should pay them as soon as possible. I hope to earn and return for the order in a few days.” “That is brave, my son,” said the king, patting the Lieutenant’s shoulder. “You may take the order now; you deserve it!” A Scarcity of Chairs One morning while out riding near Potsdam, Frederick met a post-chaise in which sat one of his generals, who had numerous debts. “Why my dear W.,” said the king to him, “you are off early; where are you going?” “To Potsdam, your Majesty, to have an understanding with my creditors.” “Oh,” smiled Frederick, “you would have done that better at Berlin; there are certainly not chairs enough at Potsdam.” He Turned the Tables